West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-06-16
ARNE SANDSTROM'S BRIDE.
BY NJ. II. cArmERwooD.

''Big Swede wedding over there this
evening" said one American to another
by his side. peter Lund's daughter
'ls she marrying a Swede" inquired
the second American
Yes; fellow by the name Of Arne
Sandstrom."
81 should think old Peter, well off as
he is, would have stood up tor an Amer
lean son-in-l law-you or me, for in
stance, " observed the second youth, with
laugh
"The girls pretty as pink, and has
had every advantage. 1t is a pity to sec
her thrown away; but old Peter has a
lot of younger ones coming on"
That makes it less an object
thought she was his only. The Swedes
tre clannish-ain't theyln
Peter Lunds is head quarters for
uhem too. Here's one now, hunting up
0he wedding. I'll bet she's Just arrived
Hrom the old country
So near the truth was this surmisc that
Elsa had been off the train only twenty
minutes, and in that time had repeated
the name of Arnc Sandstrom intcrrogH-
lively to every person she met. She was
dazed by long riding and partial fasting.
and the dumb terror Of finding no one
10 receive her at the end of her great
journey. The letter created with much
brain-work TO oannounCe her coming ought
20 have been in his hands weeks ago.
The innocent an I friendlcss soul did not
know she had omitted all dates and ex-
Rctness in her general care for spelling
and inky loops. So stepping of the
arain into the American small town at
dusk, she saw stretches of summer
prairie TO the westward, perky archi-
lecture, crossing railroad tracks, hurry
ing citizens and lazy lOungcrs even the
new electric light on its spidcr-work
aron tower beginning TO make a CHASTITY
powerful star far above her head. She
saw baggage and piles Of express matter.
hotel runners, and other women starting
towards their assured homes, tucked
laughing and chatting under their hus-
bands arms; but she saw not one face
or one kind hand ready to bid her wei
come, who had venturcd thousands of
miles alone-acrOss ocean, across conti-
nent-to marry her bethrothcd lover,
Arne Sandstrom.
Hearing his name spoken, she stood
still upon the sidewalk. shrinking and
timid, but directly in front of the young
men, and inquired, using hands and eyes
as well as anxious infection of voice:
'Arne SandstromW
''She wants TO know where he is, ." cx-
planned one American 10 the other.
Right over there-that big house" he
returned, talking also with gestures.
where you see it lighted up. She
doesn't understand Arne Sandstrom
over there. Getting married Yes. YES.
Arne Sandstrom Here, Billy, YOU trot
out little Swede gibbersh, can't vou2
You've been among them more than
have"
'Arne Sandstrom dcroCer" exclaimed
the other, pointing TO Peter Lunds
house, with a fine assumption Of hand
ling the language well. ''Arne Sand
strom Tho to night, you know"
"4ifta" said Elsa, shrinking down
"she's got hold Of it. That's all
right. You'll be in time for the we'd
ding"
"She didn't understand; she thought
we were making fun OF her." said one
OF the lads, as they sauntercd on.
'She did understand and there she
goes straight across the street Brush
up in the languages, young man, and
make yourself as useful to the public as
am"
When Elsa had entered the Lund
premises, however, she did not ring the
h'NArH UhN MdhEIiu hiONi0 inc mouse.
looking up at lighted windows, and
shifting her little bundle from one arm
20 the other She had other bapOaoe at
the station, but it seemed no long r
worth while. There was n western
vcranda, on the lowest step Of which she
sat down IN quiet stupor to collect her
self FOR some determined movement.
Anguish and disappointment must be
the natural lot in this world, only she
had not lived enough years to find IL out
before. Though summer darkness had
come, the aftcrglOw was still so BRIGHT
IN the west that it half quarrcled with
abundant lamp-light Elsa could hear
the front gate, the crunch of coming
footsteps, and frequent pcals of the door
bell, as she sat drawn together, and the F.
eternal minutes Travelled on.
Peter Lunds house was full of iovfuI .
stir. China and silver Lua.od in the .
open dining room, where several women .
were putting last touches TO the tables.
Girls flew up and down tho back stair .
way, calling 20 one another in Swedish. .
" One thing is sure, Yennic Yonsen. u 1
called a voice In the home tongue.
there will not be enough married .
women 10 take the bride from us girls i'm /
the wedding dance; so now what will .
Arno Sandstrom dO"
Three Of them conspired together by .
the western dining room door, bobbing .
their daxcn heads, all laughing and talk .
ing at once in their light happiness. far
above the unseen stranger on the step.
Who told me Arnc sandstrom left "a .
betrothcd girl in svadial" said one, low .
orng her voice 20 Rravcr colloouy
"Oh. well, she married herself. of .
course replied another; "and any man
who could get Lena Lund would take
her
'Tenas 90 rcty.'
'Lena's rich.
Elena can sing and play better than
son.o Amcrikauns"
Len has ten new dresses Aruc will
not have to put his hand boz his pocket
for many day
She is not spoiled Herewith I al
ways liked her.
"Ah. my mother said il this wedding